DERRY, N.H. – Texas Gov. Rick Perry today signed the Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire Thomson Presidential Pledge at a town hall meeting hosted by the Derry Republican Committee, promising his ongoing commitment to advancing the cause of fiscal conservatism.

“Now more than ever, our nation needs a leader who will make the tough decisions to cut spending and reduce government interference in our lives and businesses, which are key to getting America working again,” said Gov. Perry. “I am proud to sign the Thomson Presidential Pledge which provides the kind of conservative reform we need in this country, and I want to thank the author of that pledge, Tom Thomson, for his work on behalf of conservative principles.”

The governor added, “This pledge reflects the same principles I have followed to help make Texas the top state for job creation, and I will continue to promote and employ them as President so we can restore fiscal health and economic vitality to our country.”

The pledge requests that those who sign it commit to cutting taxes, fees and regulations; cutting spending and reducing the national debt; cutting the size of government at all levels; securing the nation’s borders; becoming energy independent within eight years; and faithfully and forcefully upholding, following and protecting the United States Constitution.

Tom Thompson is the honorary chairman of AFP-New Hampshire and son of former New Hampshire Gov. Meldrin Thomson Jr., who originally authored the Thomson Presidential Pledge. To carry on his father’s legacy of fiscal conservatism, Tom has expanded the original pledge and invites all presidential candidates to sign it.

“My father, Gov. Meldrim Thomson Jr., who was the author of the New Hampshire Pledge, believed strongly in lower taxes and less regulation. I share those values and am proud to continue his legacy by asking candidates to sign ‘My Pledge to the American People,’” said Tom Thomson, Honorary Chair for Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire. “I applaud Gov. Perry for signing this pledge and showing his commitment to upholding these conservative principles.”

CNBC caught up with billionaire investor Warren Buffett and the network learned that not only is he not on board with the eponymous tax, he's not jumping on the the tiny bandwagon that makes up the support of President Obama's Stimulus II.

Peter Roskam (R-IL), the Chief Deputy Whip of the House, writes about another flop in the Daily Caller:

In the coming weeks the United Nations Security Council is expected to take a series of misguided procedural steps towards allowing the Palestinian Authority (PA) to unilaterally declare independence (UDI). If they happen they will mark a step backwards from any potentially genuine Middle East peace and illustrate yet another failure of the Obama Administration's "leading from behind" approach.

This did not have to be a foregone conclusion. This past May, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and I called on the Administration to stand united with the American people, and with Israel, opposing this UN action. The State Department has heard a similar chorus in the months since.

Yet the Administration refused to act for months – as Palestinians built UN support – finally pledging a "no" vote in September long after the die was cast. In fact, when the Security Council had their final open meeting prior to the UDI this past July, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice reportedly did not even attend. While the summation of this failure is embarrassing for America, it’s far more disappointing and consequential for our strong ally Israel. Our allies should not have to be saddled with the residual failures of America leading from behind.

The disappointing reality is the Palestinian leadership unilaterally declaring "statehood" at the UN is another clear step away from peace. Just months ago, Hamas – a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel – signed a reconciliation agreement paving the way to join the PA’s Unity Government.

"Nobody knows if he ever killed anybody," Mr. Paul said after a breakfast at Saint Anselm College's New Hampshire Institute of Politics. "If the American people accept this blindly and casually…I think that's sad."

It's believed that al-Awlaki radicalized the Fort Hood killer, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Al-Awlaki was also linked to the failed Christmas "underwear" and Times Square bombings.

Rick Perry's campaign issued a press release about the death of the leader of al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

I want to congratulate the United States military and intelligence communities – and President Obama for sticking with the government's longstanding and aggressive anti-terror policies – for getting another key international terrorist.

The death of American-raised al Qaida leader Anwar al-Awlaki is an important victory in the war on terror.

Ten years after 9/11 the brave men and women of our military and intelligence services continue to take the fight to the enemy.

Al-Awlaki was the next generation of al Qaida who spread his message of violence and hate over the Internet. His death will be a serious setback for their organization.

Al-Awlaki was instrumental in the radicalization of Major Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, as well as other domestic terror plots. We must remain vigilant, and make sure we bring every resource and tool to bear in the fight to keep Americans safe.

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